'He's the warst leear e'y glen!' cried Joseph, who had no desire that it should be found out that it was himself who had procured Patey's pony for the minister. Had that come out, and the object of the minister's journey, all the suspicion and mystery would have fallen to pieces; and while he had no deliberate wish to injure the minister (whom indeed he liked as well as any one, except Joseph Smiley), yet if somebody else did it, and if Tibbie could be induced to join, why then his suit to Jean Macaulay might come to something. His attitude, therefore, may be described as 'expectant,' and his policy, to use his own words, was 'to haud a man on his ain gate.'
'And what do you think about this yourself, Joseph?' asked Mr. Geddie.
'A weel sir! I dinna weel ken just what to think; but my granny had an auld sayin' 'at there was "aye water whaur the stirk was drowned," an' I'm feared it's a true ane, for the heart of man rins on evil continual, we hae Scripter for that, an' the flesh is waik ye ken, sir, for, after a', ministers are but men, though wi' a hantle grace they may come to great things, as in yer ain case,' said this polite Joseph.
Mr. Geddie was visibly touched,--the tribute was as unexpected as it was gratifying. 'Evidently a very superior man,' he thought, 'and one who has the root of the matter in him. He seems to know his Bible well too.'
'And now,' said Mr. Dowlas, 'what is to be the result of our deliberations? We dare not let this matter drop. Of all here present, who will sustain before the Presbytery the libel that must be drawn?'
'Who can sustain it?' said the Laird, 'that is what I want to know.'
'There is clearly a fama clamosa in this parish, against the acting minister, destroying his usefulness, and injurious to the church. If some of the office-bearers here present will frame a libel, it will be the best and most expeditious mode of proceeding; if not, Mr. Geddie and I must bring this fama clamosa before the Presbytery, that it may deal with it as in its wisdom may appear best, and I call on you all here present to assist us in the work! Further, it seems to me that we should appoint a committee to visit and deal with the suspected transgressors, in all faithfulness and love. Who knows but they may be brought to a due sense of their offences, and may make confession (which would simplify proceedings)? Or at any rate such admissions as they may make, will be of assistance in framing our libel.'
'Wha's that he's gaun tae gar confess?' asked Alec Lamont. 'I ne'er heard the name afore. Phemie wha? I'm thinkin' ye hae her name wrang, minister!' he continued in a louder voice. 'Her name's no Phemie ava, it's juist Tibbie Tirpie!'
Alec was speedily reduced to silence by his neighbours, and Mr. Dowlas went on.
'I have important duties at home which will call me away to-morrow, but I propose that the committee to call on and deal with the parties under suspicion, be as follows:--To represent the Presbytery, Brother Geddie, who, I feel sure, will see it his duty to remain over, Mr. Sangster and Mr. Prittie to represent the Eldership, Mr. Peter Malloch the Deacons and congregation.'